When R Madhavan offended Mani Ratnam and landed in one of his boldest roles

How Madhavan landed a role in Mani Ratnam film

Actor R. Madhavan recently revealed a shocking off-screen anecdote from his experience on Mani Ratnam's 2004 political thriller Aaytha Ezhuthu, detailing how he initially insulted the award-winning director by turning down a role only to eventually persuade him through sheer metamorphosis and tenacity.

While Ratnam had Madhavan in the first place to play Arjun (Siddharth), the actor was drawn to playing Inba Sekar, the sexy gangster role.

Ironically, Madhavan and Siddharth, who appeared in films like Aaytha Ezhuthu and Rang De Basanti, are now featuring in the Netflix film Test.

To decline a director like Mani Ratnam is not common to the extent of being unimaginable, and as is to be expected, it didn't go down well.

"Mani sir was irked. He did not even allow me to enter his office," remembered Madhavan during his recent video appearance on the YouTube chat show Hisaab Barabar, hosted by Samdish Bhatia.

Security stopped him outside the door, and the actor faced issues with a choice, standing by his decision or withdrawing. He did neither. Having decided to confirm whether he was fit for Inba, Madhavan was gone from view for a month. Throughout the duration, he changed himself overnight.

He got rid of his hair, sun-kissed his skin, went on a weight-cut, and physically replicated the tough, hard-bitten demeanor of the gangster whom he wished to portray.

When he returned to Mani Ratnam's office in this new guise, the transformation was so extreme that not even security personnel recognized him.

This risk-yielding move succeeded. Inspired by Madhavan's commitment, Mani Ratnam eventually accepted him to play Inba.

The risk paid off. Madhavan's acting as the violent but very human figure became one of his most memorable performances.

His raw energy brought emotional complexity to the film's narrative, and Aaytha Ezhuthu became a cult favourite of Tamil cinema.

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Looking back, Madhavan cites the experience as having shaped his relationship with Ratnam and reaffirmed his own belief in trusting his instincts as an actor.

Aaytha Ezhuthu, which had a non-linear narrative and politics as its subject, is still a landmark of Indian cinema.

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And Madhavan's risky decision is also a reminder that sometimes, offending a legend—for the right cause—can yield cinematic gold.